"Oh yes. She is cordial," Amir agreed, enjoying the fact that Bao was clearly interested in information that simply wasn't going to come his way this evening. Maybe later, alone at the Manor, but certainly not with Dana just around the corner. Amir wasn't the kind to gossip and kept his private affairs just that - private. He didn't mind satisfying Bao's curiosity, but he'd do so at a time and place of his choosing, and for the reason that Bao was a friend as much as a partner or child.
"I can't say the lounging didn't surprise me too," he admitted, "but far more pleasantly, I imagine. Besides, these armchairs are awful. Where did you get them?"
He deftly steered the conversation away from his relationship with Dana. Bao would understand. A thousand years of association meant there were certain personality traits they'd each grown used to. Amir assumed Bao would pick up on the hint.
He shrugged his shoulders regarding the amount of information Bao wanted Dana to have. "Like I said, this is your show. I'm just helping. You let me know what's acceptable knowledge, and I'll make sure I stick to it. I'll do what I can in the next week or so though, and I should have a better idea by then, if we need her help."
Amir sneered at Bao's description of Pakpao's personality. "Typical Evenhet," he groaned softly. "Too soft to use food as food. It's sickening."
Pop Quiz (Invite only)
Amir left his bike in the garage below Bao's office building and rode the elevator to the twenty-third floor. He exited and turned, following the bronzed plaques that served as maps to Bao's office. Entering quietly, he looked around but saw no one. It was close to two in the morning though, so he hadn't expected a full staff.
There was a shuffling of papers in one direction; perhaps Bao wasn't alone after all. He wasn't sure if Dana was working tonight although she'd been his ulterior motive in coming. He wanted to check in on Bao, and although he rarely ever visited him at his workplace Bao had hinted that he, too, wanted to speak to Amir in a private location. Something was bothering Bao and Amir wanted to address whatever the problem was. Bao was a capable vampire and Amir was justifiably proud of him. On occasion though, Bao still asked him for advice. It seemed this was one such occasion.
Glancing around one more time he made his silent way over to the door with Bao's name etched into it. He didn't bother knocking, just let himself in and then quietly closed the door behind him. Bao was there by himself, working on some sort of paperwork.
"Ask and ye shall receive," Amir said wryly from the door. He crossed the room, taking notice of the decor and the layout without actually looking at any of it, and went to the window to admire Nachton's nighttime skyline. "Nice office."
Amir
15 years ago
Bao
15 years ago
Fair enough, Bao wasn’t anxious to put his personal business out there he wouldn’t push further. At least not tonight. He took lovers, mistresses, whenever it suited him or was practical so his own escapades never brought such curiosity.
“They were a gift actually. A client’s familiar passed. The mortal was from an old wealthy family and I was given these as a thank you for services rendered.”
Bao failed to see that the chairs were awful. They were old but in very good condition and certainly made the right statement.
“I don’t see where they are so terrible, and they are comfortably if one actually sits correctly in them.”
Hmmmm how much information to put out there. He did trust Dana could be discreet.
“I’d rather say as little as possible. The basic truth is that her maker is Anantya, she fled from him before she could be taught, he was unable to recover her and she fell in with Evenhet probably out of some sort of desperation.”
So long as they left out his name there was very little reason to alter the story. As to Amir’s concern about his child being soft Bao only shrugged. His maker knew full well if he’d not lost this one she wouldn’t be flawed in such a way.
“They were a gift actually. A client’s familiar passed. The mortal was from an old wealthy family and I was given these as a thank you for services rendered.”
Bao failed to see that the chairs were awful. They were old but in very good condition and certainly made the right statement.
“I don’t see where they are so terrible, and they are comfortably if one actually sits correctly in them.”
Hmmmm how much information to put out there. He did trust Dana could be discreet.
“I’d rather say as little as possible. The basic truth is that her maker is Anantya, she fled from him before she could be taught, he was unable to recover her and she fell in with Evenhet probably out of some sort of desperation.”
So long as they left out his name there was very little reason to alter the story. As to Amir’s concern about his child being soft Bao only shrugged. His maker knew full well if he’d not lost this one she wouldn’t be flawed in such a way.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir's lips twisted wryly and one eyebrow rose as he listened to Bao's chair history. They gave him ... chairs? How very sentimental. nonetheless he kept silent. Different things had different meanings for whoever looked upon them, and he wasn't about to criticize Bao beyond his own dubious facial expression. Giving it some consideration, Amir shifted himself around and managed to sit upright and appropriately. It felt very stiff, he mused.
No wonder Bao found it comfortable.
He stood instead of flinging himself back into his previous position and paced slowly while Bao gave him the acceptable details. "All right. Good enough," he said with a nod. There was no judgment in his tone; once he'd turfed it to Bao he had washed his hands of it mentally; he'd do as Bao asked in this regard unless he really thought Bao was making a huge mistake, or unless he was specifically asked for more advice.
"We'll see what happens." He was unwilling to promise anything beyond that. It would be nice if the wayward child, his grandchild, he supposed, would rejoin her family. The Evenhet, though, had a way of taking the soft and making them softer still, filling their heads with their foolish ideals and their impossible utopia in which humans grew on trees and the sun never rose or whatever rubbish they were spouting these days.
Meh. People-hugging vampire-hippies.
No wonder Bao found it comfortable.
He stood instead of flinging himself back into his previous position and paced slowly while Bao gave him the acceptable details. "All right. Good enough," he said with a nod. There was no judgment in his tone; once he'd turfed it to Bao he had washed his hands of it mentally; he'd do as Bao asked in this regard unless he really thought Bao was making a huge mistake, or unless he was specifically asked for more advice.
"We'll see what happens." He was unwilling to promise anything beyond that. It would be nice if the wayward child, his grandchild, he supposed, would rejoin her family. The Evenhet, though, had a way of taking the soft and making them softer still, filling their heads with their foolish ideals and their impossible utopia in which humans grew on trees and the sun never rose or whatever rubbish they were spouting these days.
Meh. People-hugging vampire-hippies.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana hummed in counterpoint to the click-clack-whir-swish of the large copy machine as she waited for the papers she needed to finish printing. Her laptop was all closed up and in its case, her purse sitting next to it and she would be heading...where ever she Amir chose, as soon as these were finished. So it was with much exasperation that she pulled her vibrating phone from the breast pocket of her jacket.
A long suffering sigh escaped her as she looked at the display.
"This is Dana."
She listened as the man that had called her every few days since she'd been given his case ranted at her from half a world away.
"Yes, Mikhail. I am aware."
The copier finished as he continued to bitch and complain. Pushing her sigh inward, she placed the papers into a manila folder, then put purse and laptop case over her shoulder. Placing her things just behind the outer office desk, Dana straightened and this time let her sigh out.
"We have been over this well over six times. I do not like repeating myself. The way I see it, you can make the bad choice and do it on your own and likely dance with the sun, or you can shut the hell up, wait until I tell you things are ready. Either way, you will stop whining like a little child, grow a spine and act like the Anantya you are."
Her voice had risen inappropriately as she'd spoken and it was with a rather loud ugh that she slammed the top of her phone down. She could only hope she'd not let her voice rise enough to be heard in Bao's office. She would take a moment to calm herself before she re-entered her boss's domain.
((ooc red is Russian))
A long suffering sigh escaped her as she looked at the display.
"This is Dana."
She listened as the man that had called her every few days since she'd been given his case ranted at her from half a world away.
"Yes, Mikhail. I am aware."
The copier finished as he continued to bitch and complain. Pushing her sigh inward, she placed the papers into a manila folder, then put purse and laptop case over her shoulder. Placing her things just behind the outer office desk, Dana straightened and this time let her sigh out.
"We have been over this well over six times. I do not like repeating myself. The way I see it, you can make the bad choice and do it on your own and likely dance with the sun, or you can shut the hell up, wait until I tell you things are ready. Either way, you will stop whining like a little child, grow a spine and act like the Anantya you are."
Her voice had risen inappropriately as she'd spoken and it was with a rather loud ugh that she slammed the top of her phone down. She could only hope she'd not let her voice rise enough to be heard in Bao's office. She would take a moment to calm herself before she re-entered her boss's domain.
((ooc red is Russian))
Bao
15 years ago
Bao only nodded. Amir had given as close to a promise as he was likely too and that would be good enough for him. The only thing he was certain of was he could not approach Pakpao himself. She had proven less than receptive.
“Thank you. Is there anything you require of me at this time?”
His maker was good about communicating what he need done but it was only right and considerate to take a second to check and see if anything new had come up.
The rooms of the office were very well sound proofed, but his door wasn’t entirely closed. This allowed some of Dana’s conversation to flow into his office. A human probably would not have been able to make out what she was saying, but he could as could Amir.
“Such a pretty language.”
He mused, but at the same time raised a slightly shocked eyebrow. This was not typical Dana nor was it quite how he fancied his business being carried out. He was going to need to look into this one.
“Thank you. Is there anything you require of me at this time?”
His maker was good about communicating what he need done but it was only right and considerate to take a second to check and see if anything new had come up.
The rooms of the office were very well sound proofed, but his door wasn’t entirely closed. This allowed some of Dana’s conversation to flow into his office. A human probably would not have been able to make out what she was saying, but he could as could Amir.
“Such a pretty language.”
He mused, but at the same time raised a slightly shocked eyebrow. This was not typical Dana nor was it quite how he fancied his business being carried out. He was going to need to look into this one.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir shook his head at Bao. "No," he said curtly, considering the matter closed for the moment. He would do what he could, when he could.
He cocked an eyebrow at Bao as they paused to speculate on Dana's tone of voice and choice of words. "I don't know," he disagreed. "It has potential when the delivery is right, but I prefer something that doesn't sound like I'm coughing up a lung."
Amir flashed a grin at Bao. They'd had this conversation before. He could understand Bao's appreciation for the Russian tongue, he suppsoed, but Amir preferred languages that flowed more readily off the tongue like his native arabic or some of the Asian languages.
As Dana's diatribe ran down he looked thoughtful. "I can't say as I've seen that side of her as yet. Maybe she just saves it for her working relationships."
He cocked an eyebrow at Bao as they paused to speculate on Dana's tone of voice and choice of words. "I don't know," he disagreed. "It has potential when the delivery is right, but I prefer something that doesn't sound like I'm coughing up a lung."
Amir flashed a grin at Bao. They'd had this conversation before. He could understand Bao's appreciation for the Russian tongue, he suppsoed, but Amir preferred languages that flowed more readily off the tongue like his native arabic or some of the Asian languages.
As Dana's diatribe ran down he looked thoughtful. "I can't say as I've seen that side of her as yet. Maybe she just saves it for her working relationships."
Dana
15 years ago
As she approached Bao's office, tucking her cell phone back into the breast pocket of her jacket, she noticed the slight ajar of the door. A small barely audible sigh lifted her chest. They'd heard every word, of that she had no doubt.
She had already begun to formulate a plan to resolve the issue with this client, not loose any credibility with Bao, and not have to listen to the whining any longer. That plan was thrown out the window.
Now she had two choices, she could complain hand it off to Bao and be done with it. Or she could explain, and resolve it with his help. Either way she was afraid she'd have to give an apology of some kind. Dana did not like apologizing, it showed weakness she did not feel. With a nod to herself, she pushed open the door.
"Bao, I've a bit of a problem."
She crossed to where he stood and offered the file in her hand. She chose in this moment to not give Amir her attention as it was bad enough she would need to explain herself, much less do it in front of someone she did not wish see such mistakes. She debated with herself for a moment, she was tempted to speak in a language other than English, but the enormity of how rude that was, was all that prevented her from doing so.
"I have been working on a new history for Mikhail Kosovskaia , it is complete and in your hands. The official documents are the only thing keeping us waiting at the moment." A slow blink, and a small mostly unnecessary breath, calmed her frustrated nerves.
"I believe, however, that he is in a situation that is forcing his hand, as his patience with the process is...non-existent.
Frankly I have endured his pestering for most of the time that I have had his case. I generally do not mind, however this evening he not only raised his voice to me, but threatened me with his own life. Through this, I am beginning to infer that the man is in a great deal of, shall we say, trouble.
That being said, I simply will not allow something like that to pass, although in this instance I am sure I should have. "
It was in Bao's hands now, she admitted her wrong-doing, and he would respond in the way he saw fit. She could only hope that he would let the matter of her non-apology remain...unspoken.
She had already begun to formulate a plan to resolve the issue with this client, not loose any credibility with Bao, and not have to listen to the whining any longer. That plan was thrown out the window.
Now she had two choices, she could complain hand it off to Bao and be done with it. Or she could explain, and resolve it with his help. Either way she was afraid she'd have to give an apology of some kind. Dana did not like apologizing, it showed weakness she did not feel. With a nod to herself, she pushed open the door.
"Bao, I've a bit of a problem."
She crossed to where he stood and offered the file in her hand. She chose in this moment to not give Amir her attention as it was bad enough she would need to explain herself, much less do it in front of someone she did not wish see such mistakes. She debated with herself for a moment, she was tempted to speak in a language other than English, but the enormity of how rude that was, was all that prevented her from doing so.
"I have been working on a new history for Mikhail Kosovskaia , it is complete and in your hands. The official documents are the only thing keeping us waiting at the moment." A slow blink, and a small mostly unnecessary breath, calmed her frustrated nerves.
"I believe, however, that he is in a situation that is forcing his hand, as his patience with the process is...non-existent.
Frankly I have endured his pestering for most of the time that I have had his case. I generally do not mind, however this evening he not only raised his voice to me, but threatened me with his own life. Through this, I am beginning to infer that the man is in a great deal of, shall we say, trouble.
That being said, I simply will not allow something like that to pass, although in this instance I am sure I should have. "
It was in Bao's hands now, she admitted her wrong-doing, and he would respond in the way he saw fit. She could only hope that he would let the matter of her non-apology remain...unspoken.
Bao
15 years ago
Bao had numerous dealings with the client in question and knew he could be a bit high strung, but this was extreme. It wasn’t that he disbelieved Dana, but it he also didn’t believe this of Mikhail. In turn, this meant that there was something wrong, something that Mikhail wasn’t telling them. It was possible he didn’t want to bring it up with someone he didn’t know personally, perhaps that he didn’t trust entirely. Interesting.
Calmly he took the file from Dana.
“I’m going to surmise there are some extenuating circumstances he may have neglected to fill you in on. I apologize if he as worried or upset you in the process.”
Bao wasn’t a big fan of apologies but he knew when they were necessary or at least expected.
“I will give him a few hours to cool off and call him myself.”
In the mean time he would also arrange emergency funds and transport for Mikhail. He was eight hundred years old, experienced, resourceful, trained and typically very well manned especially where women were concerned. If he was this out of sorts with Dana something was seriously wrong.
Bao also suspected that once this situation was resolved Dana would find herself in possession of an outrageous apology and very probably an extravagant gift. But he would leave that between Dana and Mikhail.
“This was the last thing you had on your plate this evening I believe .”
Calmly he took the file from Dana.
“I’m going to surmise there are some extenuating circumstances he may have neglected to fill you in on. I apologize if he as worried or upset you in the process.”
Bao wasn’t a big fan of apologies but he knew when they were necessary or at least expected.
“I will give him a few hours to cool off and call him myself.”
In the mean time he would also arrange emergency funds and transport for Mikhail. He was eight hundred years old, experienced, resourceful, trained and typically very well manned especially where women were concerned. If he was this out of sorts with Dana something was seriously wrong.
Bao also suspected that once this situation was resolved Dana would find herself in possession of an outrageous apology and very probably an extravagant gift. But he would leave that between Dana and Mikhail.
“This was the last thing you had on your plate this evening I believe .”
Dana
15 years ago
Interesting... Bao had made her blameless. That was not what she had been expecting, though she supposed that it should have been. In response she bowed her head, her chin slightly tilted to the left.
"As you wish."
Dana was a little unsure of herself at this moment. While she was glad that this was no longer her problem, she also wanted to see it resolved. She felt for this man, though mostly she felt irritation, and she did not wish him harm. Bao would see to it that he was well taken care of, but Dana rather wanted to be the one to do the care taking.
Lifting her head, she smiled at Bao.
"It is, unless you've anything else you need of me."
She hoped he did not, but would not tell him no if he needed her to complete a task. She wanted to go to see the new sculpture exhibit in the Gardens and there was shopping that needed doing, among other things.
"As you wish."
Dana was a little unsure of herself at this moment. While she was glad that this was no longer her problem, she also wanted to see it resolved. She felt for this man, though mostly she felt irritation, and she did not wish him harm. Bao would see to it that he was well taken care of, but Dana rather wanted to be the one to do the care taking.
Lifting her head, she smiled at Bao.
"It is, unless you've anything else you need of me."
She hoped he did not, but would not tell him no if he needed her to complete a task. She wanted to go to see the new sculpture exhibit in the Gardens and there was shopping that needed doing, among other things.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir stood quietly, his pacing stilled when Dana once more entered the room, while she and Bao resolved the problem of a difficult client. As was typical when on Bao's terrain, he kept his thoughts to himself although privately he scoffed at the vampire in question. Maybe he was a bit of a perfectionist, but he had been trained not to leave loose ends or make mistakes. Survival of the fittest, that was what worked for their kind.
Straining to be diplomatic and tolerant, even if only in his own mind, he acceded to himself and acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes. This Mikhail should be thankful of having a support network and people to help him out, praising whatever gods he believed in, rather than taking an attitude.
He did interrupt Dana's unspoken offer to resolve any other projects Bao needed her for. Amir figured he'd waited long enough, and was anxious to go. He'd already fed himself tonight but it wouldn't kill him to do so again, and regardless of whether that happened or not he wanted Dana's company. So he cleared his throat softly, and when Bao glanced at him he smiled his silky smile.
"I don't know. I think that sounded explosive enough for one night."
He crossed the room to Dana, gently taking her arm. "There must be something more interesting to do than repeating yourself six times."
Straining to be diplomatic and tolerant, even if only in his own mind, he acceded to himself and acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes. This Mikhail should be thankful of having a support network and people to help him out, praising whatever gods he believed in, rather than taking an attitude.
He did interrupt Dana's unspoken offer to resolve any other projects Bao needed her for. Amir figured he'd waited long enough, and was anxious to go. He'd already fed himself tonight but it wouldn't kill him to do so again, and regardless of whether that happened or not he wanted Dana's company. So he cleared his throat softly, and when Bao glanced at him he smiled his silky smile.
"I don't know. I think that sounded explosive enough for one night."
He crossed the room to Dana, gently taking her arm. "There must be something more interesting to do than repeating yourself six times."
Bao
15 years ago
“Repeating one’s self six times in the space of a few hours can be incredibly rewarding.”
Bao deadpanned. Some days that seemed to be all he did. Although, fortunately, he was able to leave most of the tedious work to his staff; this incident with Mikhail aside.
He did admit to himself that he was a bit disappointed with Dana’s handling, but not extraordinarily so and it was possible Mikhail was not letting her do any better. However, he would not go into that now. The next evening Dana worked, he might ask her for more detail and why she finally lost her temper.
The look from Amir confirmed that it would be another night though. Bao kept his face impassive but did glance at the clock, quickly, subtly but it would not be lost on his maker. Dana’s shift wasn’t quite over, but other than that casual glance at the time Bao would never say anything.
“Quite, there is no point in starting anything new at this point besides.”
His blessing had not been asked for or required, but he had given it as he was expected to.
Bao deadpanned. Some days that seemed to be all he did. Although, fortunately, he was able to leave most of the tedious work to his staff; this incident with Mikhail aside.
He did admit to himself that he was a bit disappointed with Dana’s handling, but not extraordinarily so and it was possible Mikhail was not letting her do any better. However, he would not go into that now. The next evening Dana worked, he might ask her for more detail and why she finally lost her temper.
The look from Amir confirmed that it would be another night though. Bao kept his face impassive but did glance at the clock, quickly, subtly but it would not be lost on his maker. Dana’s shift wasn’t quite over, but other than that casual glance at the time Bao would never say anything.
“Quite, there is no point in starting anything new at this point besides.”
His blessing had not been asked for or required, but he had given it as he was expected to.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana's lips curled into a smile, one that could not be helped or hidden, when Amir's hand took her arm. She did not miss Bao's glance to the clock, she'd known her scheduled time was not over, but like Bao also knew it was too late to begin anything new. She'd make up the time on the next working day.
"There are many more interesting things than repitition."
She gently bowed her head again, the smile still curling her lips.
"Then I shall bid you good night. Does tomorrow at midnight work for you?"
Not forgetting their promise to begin teaching her martial arts, Dana wanted to nail down a time, one late enough to give her time to purchase what she would need as well as early enough to give them ample time to do all that they wished, it was Friday night after all.
"There are many more interesting things than repitition."
She gently bowed her head again, the smile still curling her lips.
"Then I shall bid you good night. Does tomorrow at midnight work for you?"
Not forgetting their promise to begin teaching her martial arts, Dana wanted to nail down a time, one late enough to give her time to purchase what she would need as well as early enough to give them ample time to do all that they wished, it was Friday night after all.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir gave Bao a hard glance. He wasn't really impatient, exactly, but he had waited long enough. Bao could do without Dana for the next half hour, or ten minutes, or however long her shift was supposed to last. He had promised himself that he wouldn't interfere with their work relationship, but oh well. He wasn't perfect. Come to that, he was probably not even "pretty good" but more along the lines of "mostly okay." He could live with that.
As if to make a point he let his arm snake softly around Dana's waist. he was planning some fun for Friday night himself, but he should be back by midnight if he had his way. He nodded to Dana. "Midnight will do fine."
Turning to Bao he said, "See you then?"
He made it clear that they were leaving, in his fashion. If Dana objected to his heavy-handedness she hadn't made any indication of it, so he proceeded to make his farewells and pulled her toward him a bit as he guided her toward the door.
"Do you need to get anything?" he asked Dana.
As if to make a point he let his arm snake softly around Dana's waist. he was planning some fun for Friday night himself, but he should be back by midnight if he had his way. He nodded to Dana. "Midnight will do fine."
Turning to Bao he said, "See you then?"
He made it clear that they were leaving, in his fashion. If Dana objected to his heavy-handedness she hadn't made any indication of it, so he proceeded to make his farewells and pulled her toward him a bit as he guided her toward the door.
"Do you need to get anything?" he asked Dana.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana didn't mind Amir's gentle pushing. She was just as eager to get on their way as he. She'd already sent her driver home, and was looking forward to whatever would complete their evening.
She gave a small wave to Bao and proceeded Amir out the office door. "Only my things just there."
She slipped purse and laptop straps over her shoulder, and they were on their way.
It was with a happy sigh, she pressed her body against Amir's back, purse safely in the laptop case, and the case draped across her chest, resting in the small of her back.
Amir revved the engine and they were on their way.
((Amir and Dana out))
She gave a small wave to Bao and proceeded Amir out the office door. "Only my things just there."
She slipped purse and laptop straps over her shoulder, and they were on their way.
It was with a happy sigh, she pressed her body against Amir's back, purse safely in the laptop case, and the case draped across her chest, resting in the small of her back.
Amir revved the engine and they were on their way.
((Amir and Dana out))
Bao
15 years ago
Bao made no acknowledgment of Amir’s very deliberate look. After all, he’d done what he was expected to and agreed. He’d not protested at all, he’d simply made an observation.
“Yes midnight will be acceptable.”
He couldn’t help but watch with a degree of amused curiosity as the two of them left. This was not a side of Amir he was used to.
He shrugged those thoughts off and returned to his desk. He had matters to arrange for Mikhail after all.
(OOC… Bao out)
“Yes midnight will be acceptable.”
He couldn’t help but watch with a degree of amused curiosity as the two of them left. This was not a side of Amir he was used to.
He shrugged those thoughts off and returned to his desk. He had matters to arrange for Mikhail after all.
(OOC… Bao out)